Ipswich Police revive self-defense class

Saturday

Jun 14, 2014 at 8:54 PMJun 14, 2014 at 8:54 PM

Ipswich Police officer Taryn Brotherton and Sgt. Jason Monteiro revived the departmentís demonstration of the national Rape Aggression Defense Program at Ipswich High School in early May.The program has not been taught in Ipswich since current Chief Paul Nikas led the program many years ago.RAD has been a national program since 1989 and certified instructors teach it.The program provides educational opportunities for women, children, men and seniors to create a safer future for themselves. In doing this, instructors challenge society to evolve into an existence where violence is not an acceptable part of daily life.Brotherton and Monteiro taught the 12-hour program over a four-day period. The course offers women of all ages the opportunity to learn self-defense skills. The class begins with a classroom component, which covers awareness, prevention, risk reduction, and risk avoidance, and then progresses to hands-on defense training. The program builds confidence and empowers women to be able to defend themselves.Instructors incorporate dynamic simulation into the program by allowing the students to wear special protective gear and face a simulated attacker. This part of the program allows the participant to be able to use the techniques and tactics in a realistic situation. Those who complete the class have a lifetime return policy where they can return to practice their techniques at any location where RAD classes are held throughout the country.The Ipswich Police Department will be offering more RAD classes in the future. All women are encouraged to sign up because personal safety is not inherited, but rather something individuals develop, create and initiate.For information on upcoming classes contact Brotherton or Monteiro at the Ipswich Police Department, 978-356-4343.